Chapter 246: Fatal Weakness!

White Zetsu's swift defeat was something Uchiha Madara had never anticipated.

Having gained Yamato's power, White Zetsu's abilities in Wood Release had significantly improved. Although it was nowhere near the level of Hashirama Senju, who could enter Sage Mode in an instant, White Zetsu's Wood Release was still formidable—definitely not something that should have been defeated so easily.

Initially pleased with obtaining Yamato, Madara's expression darkened as he watched the massive wooden construct crumble into pieces. A shadow of concern crossed his face.

"You're next!"

The golden giant extended its hand, and the Sakegari no Tachi, which had fallen nearby, instantly transformed into a streak of light and returned to its grip. Without hesitation, Raiden's golden construct charged towards Madara.

"Boy! You're too arrogant!"

Madara's Sharingan flared, and the Susanoo armor surrounding the Gedo Mazo began to change. Chakra surged into the golem's severed arm, regenerating it rapidly. Meanwhile, Susanoo's form evolved further, sprouting two additional arms.

In all four of its hands, chakra coalesced into four gleaming purple blades.

The strain on Madara's body was evident—his breathing grew heavier, and the wrinkles on his face deepened. The middle-aged visage he had maintained now appeared much older, his black hair rapidly turning gray.

However, despite his deteriorating state, Madara's eyes burned with excitement.

"This... this is the thrill of battle!"

The oppressive atmosphere, the exhilaration of combat—he was utterly intoxicated by it.

"Madara-sama, stop! At this rate, you'll die!"

Black Zetsu's voice carried a tone of panic, sensing the reckless drain on Madara's life force.

"The plan isn't fully in place yet! You can't die now!"

But Madara remained resolute.

"The Fourth Hokage knows too much. If we let him live, he will become a serious threat to our plans."

"If I can eliminate him here, everything will fall into place!"

Madara's crimson eyes gleamed with resolve.

"The Rinnegan has already been sent out. You'll ensure my revival later... but right now, I'll take him down!"

His chakra surged violently, feeding into the Gedo Mazo. With each pulse, his body aged further, his vision blurring momentarily as five of the Gedo Mazo's nine eyes snapped open, their eerie gaze fixed on Raiden's golden giant.

Raiden halted his advance, narrowing his eyes at Madara's transformation. The sinister aura emanating from the enemy told him this was no longer a battle he could take lightly. His own state was far from ideal—he had drained his reserves and was now relying solely on the chakra stored in his Yin Seal.

"It's time to end this!"

Closing his eyes briefly, Raiden gathered his remaining chakra. A brilliant golden light radiated from the Kongō Fūsa, illuminating the battlefield.

At that moment, his remaining shadow clones—one restraining the Tailed Beasts and the other preparing Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku—dispersed, sending their accumulated experience and chakra back to him.

Meanwhile, deep within his subconscious, the Nine-Tails stirred. Having remained silent throughout the battle, its fur bristled in recognition of Madara's presence. Even sealed within Raiden, the beast harbored a deep-seated hatred and wariness towards the Uchiha.

But now, as Raiden gathered his strength, the Nine-Tails took action.

Slowly, its ominous chakra seeped from the cage, intertwining with Raiden's chakra. The red cloak of the Tailed Beast enveloped his body, and the golden light of the giant dimmed, shifting to a fiery crimson.

Madara's lips curled into a smirk.

"Ah, that's right... he's the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki!"

His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"I'll be taking your life now!"

Biting his finger, he swiftly formed hand seals, preparing for the decisive strike.

The Gedo Mazo lunged forward, its four purple blades swinging down in unison toward the crimson titan.

Inside the giant, Raiden glanced at the red chakra swirling around his hands and smiled. He didn't need words to know that the Nine-Tails had finally chosen to help him willingly.

With a resolute yell, Raiden surged forward, the crimson giant gripping the Sakegari no Tachi tightly.

"BOOM!!!!"

The two titanic figures clashed once more, their raw power shaking the battlefield.

In mere moments, Raiden's red giant severed two of the Gedo Mazo's arms with a single slash. One solid arm crashed into the ground, sending debris flying, while the chakra-formed limb dissolved into the air.

"Die!"

Capitalizing on his momentum, the crimson giant delivered a knee strike to the Gedo Mazo's abdomen, sending it stumbling backward. Seizing the opportunity, Raiden lunged forward, driving the Sakegari no Tachi toward the beast's core.

However, just as the blade was about to strike, Madara's eyes flickered with cunning.

His hands moved in a blur of seals.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A wicked grin spread across Madara's face as he slammed his palms onto the ground.

At that moment, the crimson giant suddenly faltered, its movements slowing.

Raiden's eyes widened in shock as excruciating pain tore through his body.

"What... is this?!"

His grip on the sword weakened, and before he could react, the Gedo Mazo's remaining arms pierced through the crimson titan, slicing through its torso.

The golden construct split apart, collapsing with a thunderous crash.

Raiden fell to his knees inside the crumbling giant, clutching his abdomen. His body trembled violently.

"Got you."

Madara watched triumphantly from atop the Gedo Mazo.

The moment the Nine-Tails' chakra had surfaced, he had seized his chance—using the summoning jutsu to reactivate his bond with the beast. The lingering contract from years past had allowed him to momentarily paralyze Raiden by disrupting the tailed beast's chakra flow.

Though summoning the Nine-Tails itself was impossible due to the seal, the brief disruption had given him the opening he needed.

The Gedo Mazo's blades had done their job.

The once-mighty golden giant now lay shattered, and Raiden was severely wounded.

Gritting his teeth, Raiden staggered to his feet atop a rocky ledge, his eyes locked on the looming Gedo Mazo.

"Damn it...!"

He could feel his chakra reserves nearly depleted—less than ten percent remained. His options were rapidly shrinking.

The Sakegari no Tachi, now shrunken back to its original size, rested in his trembling hands.

This was his final stand.

Madara, still kneeling atop the Gedo Mazo, panted heavily. The strain of using the summoning jutsu and the battle itself had drained him significantly, but a triumphant smirk remained on his lips.

"It's over, Fourth Hokage."

Raiden gritted his teeth, refusing to back down.

"Not... yet."

(End of this chapter)